Living with Intentionality

I was reading this morning about the disciples asking Jesus about things to come. That was a big topic then. It is a big topic now. There was then, as there is now, much suffering in the world. Wars. Natural disasters. Famine. Disease. Unthinkable evil perpetrated by human beings, one to another. So in Luke 21:7 they ask the question. When? When is this going to be all over?

In classic Jesus style He didn't answer their question. Once again they didn't know which question to ask. He didn't answer when. He answered how. He wanted to prepare them for what was to come. And His answer for them is relevant for us today.

Luke 21:12 “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are My followers.13 But this will be your opportunity to tell them about Me. 14 So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, 15 for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! 16 Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. 17 And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish! 19 By standing firm, you will win your souls.

He was giving them amazing counsel but it must have been hard for them to hear. They probably didn't expect to hear the hard things that awaited them, personally. They still had the Savior on a white horse mentality. They wanted Jesus to get the Romans out of their country and set up His kingdom right then and there. They hadn't connected the dots concerning a Savior Who just rode in on a colt, Who was about to be crucified.

We don't know what awaits us in life. We might face these kinds of things or other kinds of trials. But this counsel from the Son of God is none the less relevant for us today. Personally I see great advice on how to view life, on how to follow Jesus in this brief passage.

~ I can look at trials as an opportunity to tell others about Jesus. This may or may not include using words.
~ I can choose to not fear or worry.
~ I can trust Jesus to give me words and wisdom for every situation I find myself in.
~ I can stand firm in my faith knowing that it is how my soul is won.
~ I can be thankful that I can follow Jesus and He will give me what I need for every situation.
~ I can choose not be be bowed down by life but rather bow down to the Lord and trust He will lead as I follow.

I must live in much intentionality in order to follow this wise counsel. Lord help me to have Your perspective as I journey through life. Help me stand firm in my faith as I follow and trust You to be with me. Thank you for giving me words and wisdom to live well, no matter what.

The Gory of the Only Son of the Father

Reading the Psalms this morning. 

Insults and reproach have broken my heart; 
I am full of heaviness and I am distressingly sick. 
I looked for pity, but there was none, 
and for comforters, I have found none.

They gave me also gall [poisonous and bitter] for my food, and in my thirst they gave me vinegar (a soured wine) 
to drink. (See Matthew 27:34, 48)

Psalm 68:20-21 (Amplified Version)

My first morning during this season of Advent, to meditate on Love. Hope, then Peace, then Joy. Now Love. Words to think deeply about. Words to wait in. Advent. Anticipation. We celebrate because He brought us these things. And He left them with us. These are words that give us strength and purpose.

This passage is referring to the suffering Messiah yet to come to Israel. What awaited Him? Insult, reproach, broken heartedness, heaviness, sickness, poison, bitterness, no pity, no comfort, gall and vinegar, thirst and hunger. 

These were His words. This was His fate, God's will for His incarnate life on earth. His mission. It wasn't the whole story but it was a big part of it. And He knew. He knew going in what awaited Him here. 

Yet He came. Jesus Christ was born. God Almighty made flesh. Love came down. He brought us hope. He brought us peace. He brought us joy. He brought us His unfailing, unfathomable, never ending love. 

It is said that the gospel is the story of the great exchange. His life for ours. His punishment for ours. All of the words describing His suffering are words we can relate to in some way. Yet we can exchange them for the words hope, peace, joy, love. He brings us these things still. Every day.

So the Word became human 

and lived here on earth among us. 

He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. 

And we have seen His glory, 

the glory of the only Son of the Father.

John 1:14 (Living Translation)

The Rhythm of Giving Thanks

Luke 17: 11 As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, He reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. 12 As He entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, 13 crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

14 He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” 16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?18 Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”19 And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.

They were sick and clamoring for Jesus' attention. They knew He healed the sick. He saw them and responded. He told them to go show themselves to the priests. They were healed as they went.

They did what He said to do (they responded in faith) and He healed them. So often that is how it is with us. He asks us to go, and as we go, we are healed. We want the instant healing but it is often in the process true healing occurs.  Somewhere along the way, we notice that we are more whole. He has done work in us.

So these men, happy and excited, went on their merry ways, back into the lives they could only dream of when they were sick. They had what they wanted. The One responsible was quickly forgotten.

All of them except for one that is.  One man came back and fell at the feet of Jesus. This man, the most unexpected one at that, wanted to thank Jesus. He wanted to worship Him. Jesus marveled at this. He spoke a blessing over him and sent him off once again.

How guilty are we, of taking for granted the amazing things God does for us, day in and day out. Even in the midst of the things that are difficult and challenging there are things we can be thankful for. Where is our focus? On the blessings in our lives or on our problems, our pain?

Not to say that we can't bring our heartaches to Him. I just read Psalm 55 which is full of David's fear and anguish. Yet he lands at the end of the Psalm with, "But as for me, I trust in You." He constantly brought his focus back to God. He knew where his hope was, his help, his salvation. 

Our lives should be characterized by a rhythm of calling out to God, of being sent out but also returning to Him. This is called relationship.  We have the incredible privilege of being invited into a relationship with Jesus Christ, with God. He sees us from afar and speaks to us. He heals us. He keeps His hand on us, even when we don't see it.  Our part is respond to Him. To go out, to walk in faith, yet come back to worship Him and to give Him thanks. It is in this rhythm of life with/in Him, that He brings healing to our lives, body, soul, and spirit.

Lord, I am thankful for your many blessings. It is so easy to take things for granted, to ignore the fact that every breath I take is a gift. Forgive me that I am often full of a kind of passive ingratitude. I can get so consumed with the things I don't have, things that aren't right. Help me to patient. Help me to look around and see Your finger prints all around me as I trust in your goodness, your faithfulness, your provision, and your love.

Who Is This?

Jesus says, come along. Let's hop in this boat and go to the other side of the lake.  He was doing life with His disciples. His invitation as always, was to follow Him, to be with Him. They were in the school of Jesus. So off they went. 

Jesus found this time away from the pressing crowds an opportunity for a nap and promptly fell asleep. Our God in His humanity, experiencing exhaustion, enjoying sleep.

The storm comes up and it says "they were in danger." Some of these men made their living at sea and there was no question they were in a perilous situation. So they wake up Jesus. Good move. They turned to the One Who could save them.

I'm pretty sure though, they didn't know what was about to happen next. Jesus stood up and rebuked the wind and the waves. And all was calm. How incredible that must have been to see.  He revealed His authority over nature, over the sea and the sky. Nothing could have prepared them for this.

They were obviously shocked so His question to them was, "Where is your faith?" Their question back was, "Who is this?" 

This is the question we all must come to terms with. Who is this? Who is Jesus?  His question to them indicated that their faith was too small. He wanted them to really grasp Who He was, the magnitude of His power and authority.

He is commander over all of creation because He is Creator.  How can I worry and fear when He is Lord and King over EVERYTHING? 

They were learning as I am learning, by being with Him. They were, just as I am, learning to trust Him. That was and is what He ultimately wants us to learn. That we can trust Him. Our lives are safe with Him.

My reading in the Psalms this morning so perfectly goes with this.

The LORD is my Light and my Salvation 

- whom shall I fear or dread? 

The Lord is the Refuge and Stronghold of my life 

- of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1

All I needed was this one verse. He is all I need. I can trust Him with my life. I am safe with Him

Thank you sweet Savior.

God's Good Purposes

They "rejected God's purpose for themselves" (Luke 7:30) This was the Pharisees and the so called experts in the law. They refused to be baptized by John. They saw no need to repent, no need to turn their lives around. They had it all together. Everyone knew that. Life was good. Why would they need to change? 

Jesus saw it differently, as He did so often. He saw their false security, their smugness. He knew how lost they were in their pride and complacency. The sad thing is they missed it. They missed it big time. They missed all God had for them, His good purposes for their lives. 

Sobering. Scary how easy it is to dig in our heals and cling to our little kingdoms, our comfortable little worlds. I don't want to miss God's good purpose for my life.  I want His Kingdom come, His will be done and that starts in my heart. It begins with understanding that His purposes are good, that He loves us and has our very best interest in mind. Repentance is merely turning to Him. He takes care of the rest.

My prayer from the Psalms this morning, speaks to what turning our hearts to Him looks like. Amazing how thousands of years ago, David wrote this psalm that is so relevant for me, today. No matter what my life looks like, this is the answer.

Unto You, O LORD, do I bring my life.

O my God, I trust, lean on, rely on, and am confident in You. 

Let me not be put to shame 

or [my hope in You] be disappointed; 

let not my enemies triumph over me.

Yes, let none who trust 

and wait hopefully 

and look for You 

be put to shame or be disappointed; 

let them be ashamed who forsake the right 

or deal treacherously without cause.

Show me Your ways, O LORD; 

teach me Your paths. 

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness 

and teach me, 

for You are the God of my salvation; 

for You [You only and altogether] 

do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

Psalm 25:1-5 AMP

Take Courage!

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while He sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, He went up into the hills by himself to pray. 

Late that night, the disciples were in their boat in the middle of the lake, and Jesus was alone on land. He saw that they were in serious trouble, rowing hard and struggling against the wind and waves. 

About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. He intended to go past them, but when they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage! I am here!” 

Mark 6:45-50

Jesus needed to get away to commune with His Father. He had been pouring His life out. In His humanity, He needed to be refueled and refreshed. After all He had done, He had to be bone tired but it wasn't sleep He sought. He needed to be loved on by His Father. This withdrawing to be alone with God was a regular habit of His. We see it all over the gospels, tucked away here and there. It is a habit we too need to cultivate with consistency. How could we need time with God any less than Jesus?

What really touched me, reading this, is Jesus saw from afar that the disciples were in trouble. The distance was nothing to Him. It was the middle of the night. The darkness was not a problem. The fact that He saw them is important to me. I believe He sees me too. When life gets hard, knowing He has His eye on me makes all the difference in the world. 

His disciples were struggling against the storm yet He didn't go right out to them.  He waited til the wee hours of the morning to come strolling across the lake. He knew they were going to be okay. He didn't even seem to be planning to stop until they freaked out and thought He was a ghost. So He did stop. He told them  to take courage.  He was there. There was no need to fear. 

This was the learning curve they were on. He was teaching them that they were okay. He had their backs whether He was physically present with them or not. After the resurrection we see these men had learned well that they could rely on Jesus, even though He wasn't with them in body any more. But in this story? They were still learning. The exciting thing is we see Peter got a glimpse of what courage could really look like. He walked on the water during this time on the lake at 3:00am! Jesus was patiently teachingHis followers, to be world changers. 

He is teaching me too. He wants me to take courage. I am so thankful that when I am alone with Him, He says to me, "Take courage. It is I." 

Led to Be Alone...With Him

Jesus took Peter, James, and John 

with Him and led them  

up to a high mountain, 

where they were all alone. 

Mark 9:2

Jesus led them to a place to be alone with Him. He had plans for their time together. They had no idea what He had in store for them up on that mountain top. Once they got there He was transfigured before their very eyes. They saw Him in a dazzling display of heaven's glory, shining brilliance, talking to Elijah and Moses. They were witnessing heavenly things. They saw the reality of Jesus' divine nature with their very eyes.

And then God came along. He wrapped them in a cloud and spoke to them. They heard the Voice of God. Peter had some ideas for God but God cut him off and said, "This is My Son, Whom I love. Listen to Him." And it was over. That was it. 

The message? Jesus is deity. He is God's beloved Son. They saw it. They heard it. Jesus is divine. He is radiant, full of glory. God affirmed Jesus and gave them a message.  Listen to Him.

How often do I resist when when He tries to lead me away, to be alone with Him? How many moments of His sweet revelation, His encouragement have I missed? How often am I just too busy, preoccupied with the mundane matters of life? Or maybe I am wallowing in difficulties and can't seem to find my way to that mountain top? Why do I clamor after the busyness and noise? How easily I forget how good it is to get away with Jesus. 

And then, how often do I question His Word? I read in the gospels time after time, Jesus imploring people with the words, "I tell you the truth." He so wants us to listen and believe what He has to say. He is the Way. The Truth. The Life. Life, truth and the way (direction). Isn't that what we all want? What He says is for our good. The beloved Son came to earth as an extravagant display of God's love. The Son's life was completely lived out in flawless love for all of mankind. 

What He has to say to me is out of love. He invites me to find time to come away with Him, to be alone with Him, so He can speak to me. He wants to speak truth and love into my life, to encourage and strength me. To guide and direct my steps.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

Lord, I am so thankful that You lead me to times and places to be alone with You. Not that you aren't always with me, but You invite me into special times, of lingering with You. You speak love into my life, love that is never spoiled or broken. I thank you that step by step, you shine Your light on the path before me. Walking in that light and listening to You will always keep me close, to You.

Go and See

More from Mark 6. I think I need to process this more as I see more and more in this tiny part of the story that applies to me. The disciples tell Jesus there is a problem. "It's getting late. There are no stadium lights here in the countryside; it will be dark soon. We are in a remote, desolate place. Everyone is hungry. There is no fast food near here. We thought we would fill you in on the situation, Jesus, just in case you didn't notice." In other words, Houston we have a problem. 

Of course they have it all figured out. They see the problem and they have a perfect solution. Done deal. It all makes so much sense. They just needed a little help with their plan. Jesus needed to be the One to send the crowd away. Once they fill Him in on His role and ask for His help, He will see their wisdom, and do as He is told. Everything is good. 

Oh my goodness! Isn't that us? We see a problem and then tell Jesus what He needs to do to remedy the situation. Like He doesn't already know. Like He doesn't have a plan of His own. A plan that is far better. A plan that is executed with EVERYTHING considered. Things we aren't even capable of being aware of. Past. Present. Future.

His gracious response, "You give them something to eat." They argue. "Ummmm, Jesus, do you have any idea how much it would cost to feed all those people?" He responds, "How many loaves of bread do you have?" "Go and see." I love how He patiently continues to ask questions and give them direction instead of engaging in the argument.

So the "go and see" is the word for me. I want to open my heart and mind to what God has to say about the seemingly impossible situations that come along in my life. Big things and little things. 

I hear Him gently inviting me to "go and see." Go and see what is beyond my line of vision. The endless possibilities that are out there just waiting for me. His plans to prosper me and give me a future that is good. He sees me. He knows me. He knows my needs. He knows my heart. He has things for me I can't even imagine right now. I need to look for those things and not spin my wheels dwelling on the things I perceive as problems and then telling Jesus what He needs to do for me. 

What happened that day was huge and He let them be a part of it. God help me to be open and even excited about the possibilities that are all around me if I would only "go and see."

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him and

He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

My Good Shepherd

By this time it was late in the day, so His disciples came to Him. "This is a remote place, " they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But He answered, "You give them something to eat."     Mark 6:35-37

This is a short passage of scripture but it sums up the disciples relationship with Jesus, at this point, so well. There were hungry people and the day was drawing to a close. This was a problem. But they had a plan. They went to Jesus to inform Him of the problem and explain exactly what He should do about it. Listen to the tone of this. They were bossing the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Laughable.

The good thing is they did go to Him. But of course that was only because He had a part to play in their scheme. They wanted Him to send the people away. Other than that, they had it all taken care of.

Isn't that what I do? I see the problem and think of a solution and then go for it. My underlying thinking is, "By the way Lord, I have this one covered." It's like I don't want to bother Him with these things. And I certainly don't want to bother myself asking.

Jesus' response is classic. Of course He saw saw the problem but had a completely different solution. It was something they never would have thought of in a million years. He was going to have them feed the 5,000 with a few loaves and fishes. They argued with Him but decided to do as He asked and pulled off one of the most amazing miracles found in the gospels.

Lesson to self. 
1. Go to Jesus. Go often. Go without an agenda.
Listen to what He might have to say about the things that are going on with me. He has so often worked in my life in ways that are mindblowingly amazing. I never would have imagined how He was going to orchestrate things. 
2. Trust Him. Trust His plan even when things seem crazy and I see no way out. The previous verse, verse 34, says, 

"He saw a large crowd and had compassion on them 

because they were like sheep without a shepherd."  

Jesus has compassion on me too. He knows I need Him. He knows I am not capable of finding my way without Him. He is my good Shepherd and I need to trust His compassionate love and care for me.

This takes time and it takes intentionality. Spending quality time being with Jesus is the best use of time (my life). It is there my character is shaped and molded. It is there where my decisions are informed. His Word pours into my heart and my mind. Being with Him is where I find the greatest love of all. 

And from there I can go about my day and trust that He is with me and will take care of me, even when it is getting late and there is no food to be seen. He has ways that are beyond my thinking. I need to remember that my soul can rest, knowing that my compassionate good Shepherd holds me in the palm of His hand. 

He Calls Me Daughter

She touched the hem of His garment. This women was suffering. She had been for some time. She had spent all she had trying to get well. Along comes Jesus. She had heard the buzz about Him and for the first time in along while, felt hopeful. 

She found the large crowd following Him and started searching to see if she could get a glimpse of Him. Determined, she pushed through the crowd until she was right behind Him.  She knew if she could just touch the hem of His cloak, she would be healed. Such was her faith. 

So she dared to reach out and touch Jesus, the One she knew could change her life. She didn't know then just how much she would be changed by Him. The bleeding stopped immediately  The joy and wonder she must have felt.  

But that wasn't all. Jesus knew as well. He felt the power leaving Him. He knew someone had touched Him. He could have been fine with that. She was healed. He could have moved on to deal with other needy people clamoring for His attention. But no. 

He sought her out asking, "Who touched Me?" He knew where she was but He wanted her to come to Him. She knew right away He talking about her so she went to Him. She didn't know if what she had done was wrong. She knew He was a powerful man. She fell at His feet in fear and fessed up. What she didn't know was His heart.

I think the reason Jesus didn't let her go, was He knew that she felt like she had done something behind His back. Something wrong. He wasn't willing to let her go like that. He wanted her to know that He loved her.  

He wanted her to know she didn't have to come to Him from behind. She could come to Him face to Face. He wanted to call her cherished daughter. 

I can only imagine what looking Him in the eyes and hearing the endearing quality of His Voice did to her heart. It must have done more healing in her than the stopped bleeding. I think she was then healed, heart and soul, by Love Himself.

I am so thankful Lord, You care so deeply for me too. You care about me body, soul and spirit. I thank You; You continue to call for me to come to You. And when I come, I don't have to come in fear, no matter what is going on in my life. Thank You for calling me beloved daughter. 

From Mark 5:24-34

His Comforts from Psalm 94

Unless the LORD had been my help, I would soon have dwelt in [the land where there is] silence.

When I said, "My foot is slipping", 

Your mercy and loving-kindness, O LORD, held me up.

In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, 

Your comforts cheer and delight my soul.

Psalm 94:17-19 amp

What a beautiful reminder that God helps us when we feel overwhelmed, when we feel ready to slip and fall into despair. What I really love is where it says, "Your comforts." Comforts is plural. This is where I can look at my life and see so many things to be thankful for. God's Presence being number one. This is when my anxious thoughts settle down and "peace that passes understanding" sets in. I can be kind to myself and I quit looking down. I can look up. I can listen to what God may be speaking to my heart. This may come as a kind word from a friend. It can come from taking a walk and noticing the display of God's creation all around me. A flower pressing through a crack in the sidewalk proclaiming life and beauty in spite of the pinch of cold hard cement all around it. It can come from reading God's Word and applying it to my life. I am able to shift my focus and gain a new perspective. I can look to the LORD, with gratitude for His great mercy and loving-kindness toward me.

This is the week between Palm Sunday and the cross, a week where Christians from all walks of life consider the incredible sacrifice Jesus made for all mankind. Even for Judas and the thief on the cross who mocked Him. Even for the soldiers who cast lots for His clothing.  Even for the self-righteous religious men who wanted Him dead. He went willingly to die, for all of us. We all fall so short of the glory of God. We all have need for a Savior. Our feet slip so easily. 

This psalm is about the just nature of God. The psalmist is crying out for vengeance. He identifies the wickedness that goes seemingly unnoticed by God. But the psalm goes on to say that the One who created the ear hears. The One who fashioned the eye sees. 

For the LORD will not cast off nor spurn His people, 

neither will He abandon His heritage. 

For justice will return to the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Psalm 94:14-15

Jesus came and died to bring justice to the world. Jesus is the one and only flawless man Who ever walked this earth. Full of mercy and grace, He paid the price for the sin of every human being ever born.  We feel so bad when we are betrayed, when we are being treated unjustly. Jesus took on all the sin of all of mankind, freely and willingly.

He knew He would die an ugly, painful, humiliating, brutal death on the cross. Death on the cross is one of the most evil things conceived of by man. It inflicts incredible suffering. This is how our perfect, loving, kind, merciful, Jesus died. No wonder he sweated drops of blood the night before. He knew exactly what He was about to suffer. This what He came to do. This was why He came to live among us. He did it for all of us. He did it out of love. Perfect, selfless love. 

This is the gift of God. This sobering event is culminated in the celebration we call Easter. The resurrection. Justice served. Death overcome. Life wins. Jesus. The Way, The Truth, The Life triumphs.

Yes!

The LORD has become my High Tower 

and my Defense, and my God 

the Rock of my Refuge.

Psalm 94:22

You are the One I run to. You are the One I turn to. You cheer and delight my soul. I praise and worship You Jesus!

And They Rested

The women who had come with Jesus 

from Galilee followed Joseph and 

saw the tomb and how His body was laid in it. 

They they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. 

But they rested on the Sabbath 

in obedience to the commandment.

Luke 23:55-56

I have been thinking about this passage for 3 days now. The women who followed Jesus. Have you noticed them in the background of the gospels, the  group of women who followed Jesus? They followed Him closely. They followed Him faithfully. They fed Him, they served Him, they worshipped Him. Devoted to Him, they followed Him all the way to the cross where they watched Him die.

After His death, the followed His body. They were relentless in their pursuit of the Lord. Undoubtedly, they didn't understand what they just witnessed but they kept after Him. After they saw their Beloved laid to rest in a cold tomb, they went home to prepare burial spices. They continued to serve Him, even in death. They continued to serve Him, not knowing what was next.

Isn't that how it is with us? Isn't that our ultimate faith journey? To follow our Lord even when we don't know what is next? When we don't understand? When we hurt?

What really impresses me, is when these faithful, loving women rested. They paused in their grief, their heartache, their shock and horror and they rested. They rested because their lives were disciplined to the ways of God. They were still true to Him even after the devastation of losing the One most dear to them.

God was giving them the opportunity to rest in the midst of the tension of not knowing what was around the corner. Joy was on it's way but they didn't know that. And they rested anyway. He has that rest for me as I trust Him. He has it for you.

Lord help me to follow You as closely as these women did, the ones who got to see you face to Face. Help me to live in the tension of not knowing. Help me to know deep within my heart, that You know all things concerning my life and in that I can truly rest. I thank You Lord because You are good!

The Jesus Way

The Most High God. Our Refuge, our Strength, our Joy, our Peace. King of Kings, Lord of Lords, our Creator. Ruler of all things, seen and unseen. Lord of hosts seated on the throne forever. Full of glory. Majestic, all powerful. Almighty. Holy.

Jesus, God's Son, the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His Being, sustaining all things by His powerful word.

When they came to the place called the Skull, 

there they crucified Him, along with the criminals

-one on His right, the other on His left. 

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they are doing." 

The people stood watching, 

and the rulers even sneered at Him.

Luke 23:33-35

Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life, hung on a cross. The beloved Son of God, His life ebbing away, humiliated, spit upon, a spectacle only evil could conceive of. And He prayed to His Father to forgive them. Oh the mercy and grace we see in this moment. Sacrificial love on display for all of creation to witness. 

His life, a model for us, exemplified the way of forgiveness. 
He knew that love wins. He knew that light shatters darkness. He knew the radiant, piercing light of love penetrates the darkest of places, in the world and in our souls. He knew because He is that Light, that Love.

The glory of that moment and they cast lots for His cloths.
Oh Lord, help me to see You in each moment, lead me in your Way. Forgive me for casting lots, for trying to get my way, for looking down. Forgive me for not looking to You, to see You and Your way in all circumstances. Help me to choose love and life, this day. I praise You and thank You for the sacrifice You made to light the way for me and for all of mankind.

"We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday by the sea. We are far too easily pleased."
C.S. Lewis from The Weight of Glory

Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, 

even as I am fully known. 

And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love. 

Follow the way of love...

1 Corinthians 13:12-14:1

He is Always at Work

Yesterday I was reading in Exodus 32, about Moses when he was on Mount Sinai. It was here he received  the two tablets of the Testimony, which were inscribed by the finger of God Himself. On these tablets were were written the law and commands for God's people. They were written for their good.

Moses was with God on the mountain for forty days. The Israelites grew weary of waiting for him. They were scared and frustrated because they were far from home and their leader was missing in action.  Now take note that "home" was Egypt, where they lived in bondage as slaves. Oh how easily we yearn for what is familiar, no matter how bad it is! 

God had rescued these people in miraculous and mighty ways. He was leading them to the bountiful land, long promised to them. But they were loosing hope and patience. They were in the waiting room.

So what did they do? They created a golden calf to worship. They distracted themselves with lesser things. Much lesser things. Degrading and unholy things. Moses went from seeing God Himself, Face to face, undoubtedly ecstatic about the incredible plans God had for these people, to this debauchery. Moses, in a moment, was plunged from the heights to the depths. There are those moments in life.

My thought for now is about how the Israelites gave up. They needed to trust that God would see them all the way through even when they didn't have Moses, their leader, there to guide them. Couldn't they see that God didn't bring them that far just to let them languish in the desert? A verse in John 5 comes to mind, where Jesus says, 

"My Father is always at His work to this very day, 

and I, too, am working."

That is what God is speaking to me. He is at work even when I don't understand what is going on.  I can trust and even rest, knowing He is always working out good things for my life, even when I don't see it. This morning in Psalms 77:19 I read 

"Your path led through the sea, 

Your way through the might waters, 

though Your footprints were not seen." 

Again, the reminder that God leads and guides me, even when I am unaware of it. What a joy!

Most often we don't see what God is doing. Yet we can trust that He is constantly at work and has our best in mind. The promises He has for us will come to pass. We don't need to distract and comfort ourselves with things that will only harm us in the long run. We can soak in His Word, find encouragement, and walk in hope when we are in the waiting room. 

The reality is we are always waiting for something. Yet the time is coming when we will live in the beautiful and bountiful promised land with our God. Our faithful Lord has promised  us that. In the meantime, we can find peace, knowing that He is always at work.